The A-G had said that US$681 million deposited to Najib’s account was a legal donation from a member of Saudi Arabia’s royal family and most was returned.

Apandi said there was nothing improper and it was time to stop scrutinising the deposits, a notion echoed by Najib.

But today, WSJ also reported that investigators in two other unidentified countries, agreed that most of the US$681 million was ultimately returned as announced by the A-G.

Yet, it said the investigators believe the money originated from 1MDB, which has consistently denied allegations that its funds were used for other purposes than investments.

The WSJ said investigators believe the money moved through a complex web of transactions in several countries and with the help of two former officials of Abu Dhabi, a Persian Gulf emirate with which 1MDB has deep ties.

“The investigators are focusing on an entity they believe was a crucial conduit: a firm with a name almost identical to that of a state-owned Abu Dhabi company called Aabar Investments PJS,” WSJ said.In its filings, 1MDB reported paying more than US$1 billion to Aabar – not specifying a full name.

Rather than going to the state-owned Abu Dhabi company, investigators believe the money flowed to the similarly named firm, which was registered in the British Virgin Islands, and US$681 million made its way circuitously from there to Najib’s account, the newspaper said.

1MDB was set up in 2009 as a strategic investor but was the focus of several investigations last year when it racked up a debt of RM45 billion.

Probes began in Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, Singapore, Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi, according to the WSJ.

The WSJ reported last year that some of the funds went towards projects which helped Najib’s ruling Barisan Nasional retain power in a close 2013 general election. – March 1, 2016.